Title: Surprising decline in Iran's growth rates.

POPLINE Document Number: 129023

Author(s):

Roudi F

Source citation:

POPULATION TODAY, 1997 Nov;25(11):4.

Abstract:

According to Iran's 1996 census, the country's population was 60 million, about 6-7 million people fewer than estimates used by the UN and other international organizations. These findings surprised Iranian demographers and have been examined with skepticism outside of the country. However, if Iran's 1986 and 1996 censuses are comparable and children were not undercounted, these results indicate a remarkable decline in fertility. The proportion of Iran's population under age 5 years fell from 18% in 1986 to 10% in 1996. An Institut National d'Etudes Demographiques, Paris, study published in 1996 estimated that Iran's total fertility rate (TFR) fell from an average of 6.2 children/woman in 1986 to 3.5 in 1993. However, based upon analyses of sample surveys, the Iranian government's health ministry reported that the TFR dropped from 5.0 in 1991 to 3.3 in 1995. Irrespective of questions over the magnitude of Iran's fertility decline, it is clear that the Iranian government is committed to limiting population growth. The UN Population Fund considers Iran's family planning program to be one of the world's best-functioning, with the Ministry of Health Care and Medical Education providing free contraceptives. A bill was passed in 1993 which penalizes couples who have more than 3 children and posters around the country encourage the one- or two-child family. Iran's family planning program is integrated into the national primary health care system and provides a broad range of reproductive health services to women. The program is also the only one in the region which promotes both male and female sterilization.

Keywords:

Iran
Fertility Decline
Family Size, Desired
Family Planning Programs
Government Programs
Population Control
Changes
Developing Countries
Middle East
Fertility Changes
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Family Size
Family Characteristics
Family and Household
Family Planning
Programs
Organization and Administration
Population Policy
Social Policy
Policy
Social Change